OCEANPORT, N.J., and OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tellium, Inc. (Nasdaq:TELM), a leader in optical networking technology, and Zhone Technologies, Inc., a privately-held company dedicated to developing the full spectrum of next-generation access infrastructure solutions, today announced that they have received notification from the Federal Trade Commission that the Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, with respect to the merger of Tellium, Inc., and Zhone Technologies, Inc.

The merger is expected to close in the fall of 2003, subject to certain conditions, including approval from both companies' stockholders.

Tellium Inc.

Zhone Technologies Inc.